bottom end queston

[slimtastic]

im gonna be building up my stock block 3.8 and i had a question about what kinda power a stock block 87 3.8 with all billet steel mains and an arp stud kit could live through. i was gonna be going with a girdle but i want to save as much "under the block" space as possible(if this makes any sense at all). i know a girdled setup w/ #2 #3 billet mains can go far but what about all steel mains with a stud kit?

 

[slimtastic]

oh also money will be a concern as far as all the machine work associated with a girdle. partially why im asking about the all steel mains

 

[Russ Merritt]

10 ohs and faster are possible with just the billet center caps. Becareful and it will live, listen to what the scanmaster/knock sensor is telling you. Are you gonna race? If not all the stock stuff will work just fine.

 

[slimtastic]

well im gonna be racing.. in a lighter car than a gn

 

[Russ Merritt]

Your all set then, just do the centers and be done with it.

 

[Joe Tiano]

welp..IMO you should forget the billet caps and do the girdle..If money IS a factor the cost of properly fitting the caps in the block..thrust alignment..line bore..line hone...your machinist must get it right or you will be sorry...later ...good luck joe

 

[MSDGN]

I agree go with a girdle...I'm building a 109 block with a girdle but I went with the stock main caps...sent them out to RJC racing and he machined them for me... I set up the girdle (very easy) myself before taking the block to the machine shop...all it needed was a light align hone...steel caps and girdle aren't really needed IMO plus the extra expense of having to get the block align bored...